Chapter 418: Luo Chen

"The inferior strategy: attack the Yan Alliance."

"The middle strategy: merge the sect into a Nascent Soul upper sect, or seek a patron upper sect in the outer domains."

"The superior strategy: restart the Opening War."

Inside the Qingyun Hall, a crisp female voice rang out like the tinkling of pearls and bells.

Under the gaze of a crowd of Jin Dan True Persons, Tao Wan spoke these three methods with a hint of nervousness.

After finishing, she stood quietly with her hands bound, waiting for what would follow.

Inside the hall.

Upon hearing these three strategies, in just an instant, voices of discussion rose one after another.

"Nonsense, how could these three strategies resolve the worries of our Qingdan?"

"In the end, she is just a rogue cultivator by origin, a mere child, speaking recklessly of major affairs."

"I, however, feel that among these three strategies, there are indeed one or two points worth taking."

"What points are worth taking? Our Qingdan Valley is a mere Jin Dan sect, how could we initiate an Opening War?"

"And attacking the Yan Alliance? Right now, our Qingdan Valley can barely look after itself, how can we recklessly stir up trouble!"

"That is not the way to put it; there must be a calculated aspect to it."

……

"Sect Master, what is your view?"

Finally, everyone's gaze fell upon the Sect Master, Qing Yunzi.

Although his cultivation realm was low, he was, after all, the person in charge of the sect.

Especially since Tao Wan, who brought the news, now also belonged under Qingyun Peak; it should naturally be for him to decide.

Facing the crowd's gazes, Qing Yunzi, who had appeared increasingly weathered in recent days, sighed.

"What is my view?"

"These three strategies, apart from the last one, haven't we all mentioned the other two in recent days?"

The crowd nodded slightly.

Indeed, these thoughts had actually been mentioned internally as well.

But they had never reached a consensus, hence the endless arguing.

"However, being caught in the situation, there are some things we ultimately cannot see very clearly."

"Tao Wan, you might as well recount the three strategies Luo Chen spoke of, one by one, so that we may borrow from his perspective as a clear-eyed bystander to give us some inspiration."

Facing Qing Yunzi's earnest gaze.

Tao Wan swallowed, recalling Luo Chen's words, and recounted them one by one:

"The inferior strategy of attacking the Yan Alliance is of no help to the future, but for the present, it could stabilize the hearts of Qingdan Valley. He stated bluntly that, without us noticing, Qingdan Valley is now in a state of panic and unease. And among the vassal forces outside Qingdan Valley, there are those who are already cozying up to the Luoyun Sect, seeking a way out."

"If we do not settle the current hearts of the people, Qingdan Valley might face internal chaos and disaster from within before any external enemy even arrives."

As she said this.

Among the gathered True Persons, some were unconvinced, while others had their expressions change in an instant.

"Just alarmist talk!"

"If there is no external enemy harassment, how could our sect's internal and external forces become disunited?"

"That is not necessarily so. I recently inspected the repair site at Mount Yuanhua and indeed discovered many disciples whispering. Many of them are filled with trepidation, holding a pessimistic view of the future."

"As for those Qingdan vassals, in these past few days, does everyone remember how many have come to our sect?"

"The hearts of the people are indeed no longer united!"

"If we attack the now-weakened Yan Alliance, we would surely succeed in one battle and vent our internal contradictions. Furthermore, we could use the victory to reshape the hearts of our sect's disciples. It is hard to say what the future holds, but at least for now, we could bind the sect members together like a rope."

"No, no, Junior Sister's words are inappropriate..."

Seeing that the argument was about to start again.

A dry cough came from within the hall.

"Ahem..."

The crowd could not help but quiet down.

Qing Yunzi looked back, then his gaze fell once again on Tao Wan.

"Continue!"

Tao Wan gave a nod.

Now, there was less restlessness in her heart and more composure.

Composure brought about by Luo Chen!

"The middle strategy has two methods: merging the entire sect into Luoyun or the Sword Sect could resolve the danger to the lives of our sect members and disciples. Moreover, there is no need to worry that they would refuse; after all, no sect would refuse the addition of a large number of alchemists."

"As for the other, seeking aid in the outer domains, it would form a tripod-like balance of power within the Yuding Domain, converting our Qingdan Valley's financial resources into combat power."

"In this way, we might be able to resist the Luoyun Sect and the Yuding Sword Sect."

Regarding this outrageous middle strategy, the crowd was most repulsed.

Seeing that another discussion was about to break out.

Qing Yunzi shook his head, "Tao Wan, tell us, what is your view on these two middle strategies."

"The former is an act of self-destruction; our generation will absolutely not choose it!"

Without hesitation, Tao Wan expressed her stance.

What a joke!

How could the dignified Qingdan Valley merge into another sect? Would it be fair to the ancestors? Would it be fair to their own efforts?

If they only wanted to survive, they would have surrendered directly when the Sword Sect came knocking.

As she said this, the discussions that were supposed to arise suddenly died down.

Many looked at her with satisfaction, showing appreciation.

She is indeed our sect's Dao Child!

On such matters of great right and wrong, she still has a clear understanding.

Tao Wan steadied herself and said, "As for the latter, in my view, it indeed has a chance to stabilize the situation for the next hundred years."

Seeing some people show expressions of disapproval.

She could not help but recall Luo Chen's words.

"Was the rise of the Luoyun Sect the work of Han Zhan alone?"

"I think not necessarily!"

"Other things aside, just the fourth-tier spiritual land required to condense a Nascent Soul, where did Han Zhan get it from?"

"Behind the Luoyun Sect, everyone knows it is Tianfan City. In other words, they also hugged the thigh of an outer-domain upper sect while they were still in the Jin Dan stage."

"If they can do it, why can't you?"

Now, Tao Wan recounted these words of Luo Chen eloquently.

For a moment, everyone fell into deep thought.

Only Qing Yunzi sighed deeply.

"I fear this is an act of inviting a wolf into the house!"

The crowd could not help but be startled.

Indeed, these two methods of Luo Chen's middle strategy seem to resolve Qingdan Valley's worries for the next hundred years, but one destroys the orthodoxy, and the other invites a wolf into the house.

The former is rejected outright.

And as for the latter, the first person to do so was a genius, but if a second person does it, I fear they will be reduced to a fool.

"Junior Niece Tao Wan, tell us about the superior strategy Luo Chen spoke of!"

"Yes, I also want to know, as a mere Jin Dan major sect, on what basis can we initiate an Opening War."

"Has that Luo Chen lost his mind?"

Regarding this crowd of discussions.

Tao Wan shook her head, "To be honest, when I first heard this superior strategy, I was also shocked. But after the other party explained, I felt there was indeed some logic to it."

"It is not for our sect to initiate the Opening War, but to initiate it on behalf of the Luoyun Sect!"

As soon as these words were spoken.

Everyone was stunned!

In the silence, gradually some began to whisper their approval.

"This plan is brilliant!"

"Indeed, the Luoyun Sect has actually met the conditions to initiate an Opening War."

"If they conduct an Opening War, not only can they resolve the Yuding civil war, but they can also transfer all the contradictions within the domain outward."

"However, at that time, will our Qingdan Valley participate? Everyone, you must know that an Opening War is always the most dangerous and terrifying war!"

"Indeed, the junior brothers are still young and perhaps do not clearly understand the situation of the Opening War four hundred years ago. In that battle, a full three sects were wiped out, and several others declined afterward. Even our Qingdan Valley spent these three hundred years gradually recovering to its current state."

An Opening War, for human cultivators, is a war of interest to expand territory and fight for places to cultivate.

But for the countless demon beast races in the million mountains of the Eastern Wasteland.

That is a war of races.

In such a situation, high-tier demon beasts will not talk to you about the tacit rules of the cultivation world.

At that time, it is highly likely that fourth-tier Beast Emperors of the Nascent Soul level will appear, facing thousands upon thousands of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators.

Just one breath of demon Qi would result in thousands upon thousands of casualties.

No sect dares to endure a war of this level!

Facing the advice of their elders, the younger True Persons Long Shou and Bai Su had different views.

"If we don't participate, we can sell elixirs for profit."

"If we participate, it is just spreading the risk, but our Qingdan Valley has many people and strong financial resources. With the same damage, we can preserve more of our vitality."

"Most importantly, in this way, regardless of whether the Opening War succeeds or not, the crowded power structure of the Yuding Domain will be broken and cleared out. At that time, the Yuding Domain will naturally squeeze out enough space for us to survive."

"Luo Chen's plan is brilliant. Although it won't work in the short term, once successful, it can at least buy our Qingdan Valley a few hundred years of stable development opportunities."

When True Person Long Quan spoke the last sentence.

Others also expressed their agreement one after another.

Especially after ruminating on the three strategies, many people had expressions of admiration in their eyes.

Regardless of whether these three strategies were feasible, at the very least, they had truly planned for Qingdan Valley from short-term, medium-term, and long-term perspectives, providing a way to break the deadlock.

"Such talent, if he were in our Qingdan Valley, he could become a generation of alchemy masters and also an excellent advisor."

"It's a pity he was snatched up by that Ice Fortress, which has few people and little land."

Amidst the sighs and admiration.

True Person Long Shou suddenly became curious, "But how can we help the Luoyun Sect initiate an Opening War? You must know that if the other party does not actively apply, an Opening War cannot be easily launched."

Facing this question.

Before Tao Wan could explain Luo Chen's method, a weathered voice came from the very head of the hall.

"The White Night Palace!"

The crowd was startled, and gradually, a look of realization appeared in their eyes.

And Tao Wan's heart skipped a beat, subconsciously glancing at the youth with the appearance of a dragon and phoenix, his complexion like spring dawn.

The Supreme Elder's thoughts were actually exactly the same as Luo Chen's!

That Soul Transformation ruin in Lei Shan is the place where a Soul Transformation great power of the Eastern Wasteland's Mingyuan Sect passed away.

If they actively told the Mingyuan Sect this news, it would attract the holy land's cultivators.

The other party naturally could not sit by and watch the Yuding Domain fall into chaos.

At that time, they would only need to add a little oil and vinegar to the story, and according to past precedents, it would be highly likely that the holy land Mingyuan Sect would make the Luoyun Sect actively initiate an Opening War.

"Senior Brother!"

"Great Elder!"

"Senior Brother Qingdanzi, regarding current affairs, how do you think we should act?"

Facing the crowd's gazes, the youth-like Qingdanzi waved his hand with a weary expression.

"Let's implement the inferior strategy first!"

Sect Master Qing Yunzi nodded subconsciously.

Suddenly, he realized the meaning behind the other party's words.

"First?"

Qingdanzi said gloomily, "Luo Chen seemingly gave three strategies, letting us choose one. But isn't this actually a method of implementing all three in parallel?"

The crowd was stunned.

Ruminating on the meaning behind the other party's words.

Gradually, they all came to their senses.

The inferior strategy settles the hearts of the people, the middle strategy protects the sect, and the superior strategy seeks living space.

It was never about choosing one; it was clearly about implementing all three in parallel to preserve the sect's orthodoxy.

Qingdanzi sighed, "There's no help for it. No one expected the Luoyun Sect to actively tear up the five-hundred-year alliance, which gave the Sword Sect a pretext to act. Otherwise, why would we need to face the pressure of the Sword Sect!"

In the end, everything is dictated by the situation!

Suddenly, he changed the subject.

"This matter, let Tao Wan handle it!"

"The only requirement is that our sect's Jin Dan True Persons are not allowed to act!"

The first sentence made Tao Wan happy.

But the second sentence left her somewhat confused.

She hesitated, "If our sect's True Persons do not act, how can we boost the confidence of our sect's disciples?"

Qingdanzi sneered, "Our Qingdan Valley has been passed down for a thousand years; the sect's cohesion is not that fragile. The low-tier disciples are just panicked for a moment. If you show your faces more often recently, you can naturally stabilize their hearts."

"That Luo Chen is clearly exaggerating to make our dignified major sect work for him, acting as the knife in his hand."

The people in the hall showed expressions of doubt.

Some of them who knew about the major events in the Yuding Domain recently explained a little.

The rest then understood the grudge between Luo Chen and the Yan Alliance.

In this way, they also understood why Luo Chen was racking his brains to consider things for Qingdan Valley.

He was trying to take advantage of Qingdan Valley's internal and external troubles to borrow their knife to kill!

However, they were not particularly angry.

Because the three strategies Luo Chen proposed were indeed feasible for Qingdan Valley to consider.

Only Tao Wan was in a difficult position.

Without using the power of Qingdan Valley, how was she supposed to target the Yan Alliance?

You must know that there are still three Jin Dan True Persons on the Yan Alliance side!

Just as she was troubled, Qingdanzi spoke again.

"Qingyun, give your Sect Master token to Tao Wan!"

"All of Qingdan Valley's vassals, including those two first-tier forces, are also under her command."

"Whether it succeeds or not, this matter will not shake the foundation of our sect."

"As for the rest, let's not worry about it; let Luo Chen worry about it!"

Qing Yunzi nodded hurriedly and handed the Sect Master token to Tao Wan.

Having obtained the token, Tao Wan felt as if her whole body had become three times heavier.

But amidst this heaviness, there was also a strange sense of relief.

The status of Dao Child, the Sect Master token...

She pursed her dry, hot red lips and bowed respectfully.

"This disciple will definitely complete the task and will not let the elders down!"

……

One day later.

A flying boat soared into the sky, gradually moving away from the sphere of influence of Qingdan Valley.

On the flying boat, with no one paying attention, Luo Chen wore an expression of dissatisfaction.

He did not expect Qingdan Valley to be so cautious, not wanting to use even a bit of the sect's foundation.

This made his plan somewhat incomplete.

"I originally wanted to borrow the power of the Ice Fortress and Qingdan Valley to destroy the Yan Alliance."

"Now it seems that Qingdan Valley does not want to make a big move, and I fear the Ice Fortress side will also hesitate based on the conditions I gave."

"It's not enough!"

A long sigh echoed in the wind.

After a long time, Luo Chen suddenly laughed at himself.

"That's right, I'm not the only smart person in this world; it's not that easy to just move my lips and have others fight to the death for me."

"Being able to borrow two Jin Dan True Persons from Qingdan Valley's vassals is already a stroke of luck; how can I not be satisfied."

After a laugh, Luo Chen returned to a calm state of mind.

If the aid here is not enough, then look elsewhere!

In the vast Yuding Domain, there is more than just one or two families coveting the now-weakened Yan Alliance.

With a thought, the flying boat turned and headed toward an unfamiliar territory.

But another day passed.

Luo Chen, traveling alone, arrived at high speed outside a vast immortal city.

Looking up at the huge red plaque, a fierce light flashed in Luo Chen's eyes.

Tianhuo Immortal City!

An immortal city built by the Yan Alliance itself, although smaller in scale than the Tianlan Immortal City built by the seven sects, it is still ranked among the top ten immortal cities.

Now that the Yan Alliance can barely look after itself, I wonder how much control they have over this immortal city?

A figure walked out of the immortal city.

After looking left and right, he ran directly toward him.

"President, everything has been inquired about."

Luo Chen nodded slightly, and an embroidered ball appeared in his hand.

"Since that's the case, then contact the other party!"

Restored to two updates of eight thousand words, feeling that my state is still okay.

How about scheduling a wave of double monthly tickets for the last three days of the month?

(End of this chapter)